2. We have God’s providence. His providence that has pushed the column of progress forward from the moment the Life came forth from the tomb in the garden, and began to be preached to the nations, until now its head occupies the slopes of the mountains that overhang that distant continent, and looks upon it inevitably as its next field of conquest. That providence that has pushed this advance forward upon two parallel lines, that of spiritual and of political liberty, and has made them converge and come together for the first time in history upon this broad domain; that has brought along in the slow conflict and march, institutions and rights, the spoil of nineteen centuries of conflict, and planted them upon this continent, and opened the door of invitation to the East through a sea-coast line of twelve thousand miles, and another to the far West of four thousand. These providences of God, making our duty clear, are endorsed by those others that have broken up the seclusive habits of that people, and have turned the thoughts of her educated men, and the hopes of her commerce, and the needs of her industrious poor, toward our shores. This writing of God’s providence seen in the majestic progress of events from the East and West meeting here, seen in the configuration of the continent, seen in the harsh language of war breaking open closed doors, and in the voice of peace, endorses that other word which God has given us, and proves that our interpretation was correct, and that we have an especial duty to this people, both at home and abroad.